SOFT POWER FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORIES

The concept of soft power is one of the most popular concepts in policy studies. Despite this, it has not been theoretically clear enough since it was set up. This is because the ambiguities in the concept do not allow generalizations to be made enough to form a theory. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that the concept of soft power can be evaluated within the scope of international relations theories, based on the main idea that the concept of soft power can only be a tool for theories, and thus to make a modest contribution to the theoretical basis of the concept by giving it a place within existing theories. While doing this, three main traditions were focused on since international relations theories cover a wide range. The fact that soft power can take place within realist, liberal, and constructivist paradigms is supported by short analytical examples, and the opinion that soft power resources that cause different results can take place in different paradigms has been formed. It is thought that such a perspective is an important study in terms of facilitating analytical studies on the concept of soft power and opening the door to a different classification.